About

Chimonanthus salicifolius is an evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 2.5 meters. It features slender, twig-like branches and produces lightly fragrant, spidery white flowers that appear individually on short stems during the winter months.

About the genus

Chimonanthus encompasses both evergreen and deciduous shrubs characterized by simple foliage. In winter, these plants produce fragrant, bowl-shaped flowers with numerous petals, which are succeeded by cylindrical or urn-like seed capsules.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Native to
China
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Pruning
See pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, or take greenwood cuttings
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)